Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-07-20
SENSIBLE AND PATRIOTIC.

President Cleveland was oaGqueted at
Clinton, n. y, recently, and il response
to the toast, "Our Welcome Guest from
the White House," took occasion to
mildly but firmly chastise the loud
mouthed Tutues and FAirchilds. The
Presidents remarks on this occasion are
not unlike the general character of mis-
utterlnces, being beth sensible and patri-
otto:
am inclined to content myself on this occa-
sion with an acknowledgements on behalf OF
the people Of the [ nited States of thu compll-
mcnt which you have paid 10 the otllce which
represents their sovereignty. But such an &C
acknowledgement suggests an idea which ] can
not refrain from dwelling upon for n moment
That the Office of President Of the nted States
represents the sovereignty OF $4,000 OJO of PEG
ule Is TO my mind a statement full o, solemnity
for this sovereignty l conceive 10 &c the WORK
Ing out or enforcement: CT the divine Sift of
man to govern hms II, ara a manifestation of
Gods plans concerning The human race
Though the struggles of political parties TO
secure the inCumbenCy Of This Office and the
questionable methods sometimes resorted to
Tor its osseSzion may not be in keeping with
this idea. and, though the deceit practicei TO
mislcad the people IN their choice and its too
frequent influence on their sntT age MAJ sur
prise us these things should never lead Us
astray IN our estimate OF this exalted position
and Its value and dignity. And though your
fellow citizen who may be chosen to perform
for a time the duties of this hishcst place
should be badly selected, and though the best
attainablc results may not be reached by his
! administration, yet he eSacting watcnfuness
Of the people freed from the disturbing tur-
MOL Of Uoltira, excitement ought to prevent
mischance to the Office which represents their
sovereignty, and should reduce 10 q minimum
the danger Of harm to the state.
10y TO means underestimate the importance
Of the utmost care and c!rcum pection In the
selection of the Incumbent. On the contrary
believe there i5 no obligation OF citizenship
that demands more th sught aud conscientious
deii2ers.ton lhan this. But ] am speaking Of
the citizens duty to the office and i.s selected
incumbent. Tais duty IS 0r!yperformed when,
In the irtcres. or the entire people, the full eX
cIci5e % the powers OF the chief mazistracy Is
Insisted on, aad wner, for the peoples safety.
q due regard for th Q Limitations placed upon the
oni is eNQCt5d
These things should be enforced oy the nan.
fest ton of g calm and enlightened public
opinion. But this should not be simulated by
the mad clamOr OF disappointed interests
allowance for the exercise OF Official Judgment
would degrade the effect by forcing compliance
tn selfish demands II your President should
not be of the aople and one of your fellow cit
liens he would be utterly unfit for the position,
Incapable o. understanding the peoples wants
aud careless Of their desires. That he is one of
the people implies that he is subject to human
frailty and error. but he should be permitted to
claim but little liberation for mistakes the
genGro.ity Of his fellow citizens should alone
decree how far good intentions enould excuse
mis- shortcomings.
Watch well, then, this high Office the most
precious possession of American citizenship.
Demand for It the mos: complete devotion on
the part Of him to whose custody it may be en-
trusted and protect It rot less valiantly from
unworthy assaults from Without Thus will
you perform a sacred duty to yourselves and to
those who may follow you In the enjoyment OF
the frecst institutions which heaven has ever
yOucngafed to man.